Council Approves Longer Leave for Pete Soto

Avon's city council approved a memorandum of understanding with the city's police union Monday night to extend the paid leave for police officer , who was critically injured in an on-duty crash of his police motorcycle in October.

Council went into executive session to discuss it, as it was a personnel matter, but took less than 10 minutes before opening chambers back up to the public and passing the memorandum on a unanimous vote.

"It's a good thing," said .

"It was absolutely the right thing to do," said Ward 3 councilman Kevin Ward. "When someone who puts their life on the line for the city is injured in the line of duty, we owe it to them."

Soto will continue to be on On-Duty Injury Leave, which was set to expire April 1. Because he needs more rehabilitation from his injuries -- including a shattered pelvis, lacerated spleen and broken leg -- council voted to approve extending Soto's leave through June 24, and, if he needs it, through Sept. 16.

After Sept. 16, Soto will be able to file for worker's compensation or disability retirement if he is unable to return to work.

In other news:

Council approved an Ohio Department of Transportation study that will  from 35 to 45 miles per hour on a stretch of Colorado Avenue from Carleen Avenue to Moore Road.

Approving the study, explained city engineer Robert Knopf and planning coordinator Jim Piazza, will allow the study that shows a traffic light at Colorado and Carleen is warranted to be submitted to ODOT for approval. Approving the study means work can begin on getting and installing the light that much sooner.

Ward 1 councilman Bryan Jensen said the main concern of residents in his ward, the affected area, is getting the light so residents of the Northgate and Stonebridge neighborhoods can more easily get onto Colorado Avenue.

Council also held the first of three readings of two ordinance amendments relating to what people can have in their yards -- such as ice rinks, play structures, RVs and boats -- and where they can put them. A public hearing will be held on both ordinances starting at 7:20 p.m. on April 25.